Lamar Moore, 26, being sought as a suspect in Little Rock robberies in which he impersonated a police officer to gain entry to homes, shot himself after officers tried to arrest him in England Thursday evening, the State Police said.

Arkansas Children's Hospital is in the process of opening a Northwest Arkansas hospital, several sources, including doctors, tell the Arkansas Times. I've left a message with hospital spokesman Dan McFadden for confirmation and details.

Mike Huckabee announced for president May 5 and, under federal rules, was required to file a personal financial disclosure statement within 30 days. He's twice asked for and been given an extension, the most recent giving July 31 as the deadline. So far, no report is on file. But a Huckabee Super PAC reported $3.5 million in contributions, most from a Little Rock poultry tycoon.

The New York Times reports on a public relations campaign by the former secretive Koch Brothers to brush up their image as they prepare to sink as much as a billion into electing their kind of politicians in 2016.
The record in Arkansas tells you all you need to know. Lipstick on pigs.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

The Wagoner Law Firm Thursday filed its renewed claim for $95,000 in attorney fees — and for an enhancement of the amount — for representing plaintiffs in the successful circuit court challenge of the state ban on same-sex marriage. The filing by Jack Wagoner indicates it was filed apart from any claim by Cheryl Maples, another lawyer for plaintiffs and the lawyer who originally filed the case, because of a difference in viewpoint on work done and money owed.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has announced the hiring of Lee Rudofsky as the state's first solicitor general. Many states have such a position for the person viewed as the state's top litigator on appellate matters.

The Defense Department has prepared a video on sidearm training for Arkansas National Guard in the aftermath of heightened security concerns for Guard facilities following the shootings in Chattanooga. The film didn't disclose markshmanship scores.

State Rep. Bob Ballinger, who wants his religion to control medical practice in Arkansas, seems to have libeled anyone who works for Planned Parenthood, though virtually all — if not all — engage in legal medical practices.

The Los Angeles Times reports on the sagging casino economy in Tunica, Miss., a sag due in part to increasing national competition.

Sen. Jason Rapert has announced on Facebook his plans to file this week a so-called trigger law — like those passed in four other states — that would make abortion illegal in Arkansas immediately if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Polling suggests the majority would oppose it.

The annual abortion protest marches were held around the country Sunday and, as usual, press accounts duly quoted the misinformation repeated there. From the coverage of the Arkansas march, this stood out:

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has made several public appearances today as part of the observance of King Day and his remarks have included lauding the state's 2017 action (and his own) in ending the dual observance of King's birthday with that of a man who fought to preserve slavery, Robert E. Lee. I have one brief observation on his remarks: